Century Media Records will finally re-issue legendary Swedish act TIAMAT’s second album “The Astral Sleep” on vinyl on May 11, 2015.

Originally released in 1991, “The Astral Sleep” is a true masterpiece of forward-thinking death metal exploring doomier and sinister, atmospheric territories hinting at the diverse and daring gothic metal they were about to release to massive global success in the years to come. It was also the first album recorded with long-term producer Waldemar Sorychta.

The 2015 reissue is based on the original LP visually yet adds the 1991 CD-bonus track “A Winter Shadow” and was specially mastered for vinyl by Patrick W. Engel / Temple Of Disharmony (Grave, Dissection, Massacra). It comes on 180g vinyl with printed innersleeve and full-colour labels. A beautiful edition of a morbidly beautiful album!

The following editions will be available and are now ready for pre-ordering:

20 years ago, in September 1994, one of the most outstanding albums in Century Media‘s history, one of the most diverse and daring in metal history was released and resulted in a major success for both label and band: TIAMAT‘s “Wildhoney”.Now, this unique amalgamation of sinister metal and psychedelic, atmospheric and progressive elements is finally back on vinyl. Packaged in a heavy cardboard Gatefold sleeve, the 2014 edition of “Wildhoney” also features a LP booklet containing the lyrics and is expanded with a poster of the classic Kristian Wåhlin cover plus a detailed interview with Johan Edlund, Johnny Hagel, Lars Sköld, Magnus Sahlgren, Waldemar Sorychta, Siggi Bemm used with kind permission from renowned US mag Decibel. A stunning new edition of a stunning album!Here’s a little tune for you to bring back sweet memories of this opus:

While coloured vinyl editions sold out in no time, 300+ copies on black vinyl can still be purchased via our European webstore: cmdistro.de/Tiamat/BlackVinylSo, better grab it fast as also black vinyl is limited to 600 copies.

Decibel’s Chris Dick also listed “Wildhoney” in the mag’s recent doom special, aptly describing its ageless brilliance:“”Whatever That Hurts” breaks it’s all over for me. The Floydian rhythm into the power chorus – talking
about honey tea, psilocybe larvae, and silver spoons – is unadulterated magic. Followed by “The Ar”?
Jesus! The only other vaguely ‘metal’ song was “Visionaire”. The song’s slow churn and lullaby guitar
gives chills 20 years on. Edlund was smart to hire guitarist Magnus Sahlgren and drummer Lars Sköld
for “Wildhoney”. They are master musicians and, as such, they lifted TIAMAT’s ‘forward think’ to places beyond. No more is this evident in girl-getter “Do You Dream of Me?” and the wondrous “A Pocket Sized Sun”. Both utterly and ridiculously great! If “Wildhoney” isn’t exclusively doom, well, that doesn’t matter. TIAMAT’s pinnacle achievement is a top-lister regardless of genre.”

GMM 2014 Crew has announced, via the Official Website, the first 51 bands for Graspop Metal Meeting 2014:

Graspop Metal Meeting 2014 is still 204 days away but already it’s looking to be a vintage edition! For one thing, 2014 will go down in GMM history as the year we were finally able to realise our plans for a second main stage! Sitting shoulder to shoulder, main stage 1 and main stage 2 will feature the top bands and household names in our GMM2014 lineup. The Marquee and the Metal Dome create a more intimate setting and we’re also erecting an open air stage in the Metal Plaza where fresh metal talent can earn their GMM spurs.

A second main stage means even more metal fun. Our 2014 lineup will feature more than 100 bands on five stages and today we’re proud to reveal the first 51 names for next summer.

The living legends from BLACK SABBATH need no introduction. Two years ago, unforeseen circumstances forced them to cancel but this year they’re back to reclaim their rightful GMM throne. Black Sabbath will close the festival on Sunday 29th June. These guys are widely hailed as the pioneers of a musical genre that has stood the test of time and is still immensely popular after more than 40 years. Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and figurehead Ozzy Osbourne have finally buried the hatchet and the renewed collaboration with the craziest frontman in metal resulted in ‘13’, one of the best and most surprising comeback albums of the year. The album marks the triumphant return to form of the band responsible for countless classics such as ‘N.I.B.’, War Pigs’, ‘Iron Man’ and of course the inevitable ‘Paranoid’.

Five years ago VOLBEAT played in the Marquee, two years later they rocked the main stage and this year they’re coming back as (one of) the biggest European rock-’n-roll/heavy metal band(s) to headline Main Stage 1 on Saturday 28 June. Their Johnny Cash-inspired music has brought them to the world’s biggest stages and their music even appeals to a mainstream audience. Just five albums into their stellar career Volbeat are on top of the world. Perhaps things are going a bit too fast? Well, hundreds of thousands of fans worldwide can tell you the answer to that one. So roll up your sleeves and warm up those vocal chords because the guitar gangsters are coming home to Graspop Metal Meeting!

AVENGED SEVENFOLD may well turn out to be the youngest ever headliners on Graspop Metal Meeting. With two previous GMM appearances under their belt they’ve really hit the jackpot this time because they get to close Main Stage 1 on Friday 27th June. Their previous European tour in late 2013 made it obvious that Avenged Sevenfold, or A7X for short, are among the top dogs of the new metal generation.

SABATON have also proven on numerous occasions that the main stage is their natural habitat. Joakim Brodén’s power metal quintet will once again transform the Dessel plains into a no man’s land to rival the Westhoek. The Swedes recently released their ‘Swedish Empire Live’ DVD and the same boundless energy captured on that live recording will result in another GMM victory next summer. Only singer Brodén and bassist Sundström remain of the previous lineup, but the new Sabaton lineup has meanwhile matured into a well-oiled machine and is ready for yet another Primo Victoria!

Eindhoven Metal Meeting has issued that TIAMAT, ELVENKING featuring Martin Walkyier‘s SKYCLAD, BRUTAL TRUTH, IN SOLITUDE, THE ROTTED, CENTURIAN, ENTRAPMENT and SOUND STORM are the latest acts to have been confirmed for this year’s Eindhoven Metal Meeting festival set to take place December 12 – 14, 2013 at the Effenaar in Eindhoven, The Netherlands.

For the very first time, the festival will last for three days instead of two days as there will be a Heavy Metal / Thrash Metal party on Thursday evening on the main stage. Tickets are available via the official website.

DESTRUCTION, VADER, FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE, BURY TOMORROW and WITCHCRAFT are the latest acts confirmed for Germany’s Summer Breeze Open Air – which will take place from August 15th to 17th at its usual location in Dinkelsbühl.

CEREMONIAL OATH, the reunited late ’80s/early ’90s Swedish extreme metal band whose members went on to create or join such acclaimed acts as IN FLAMES, HAMMERFALL and TIAMAT, played their first show in 20 years on January 4 at the inaugural edition of the Gothenburg Sound Festival at Trädgår’n in Gothenburg, Sweden.

The band’s setlist was as follows:

01. Sworn To Avenge (intro)
02. The Invocator
03. For I Have Sinned/The Praise
04. Enthroned
05. Only Evil Prevails
06. Thunderworld (Welcome To Forever)
07. Lords Of Twilight
08. Ceremonial Oath
09. The Lost Name Of God
10. The Book Of Thruth
11. Hellbound
12. Submit To Death (GROTESQUE cover with Tomas Lindberg on vocals)

A review of the concert, including live photos, can be found at this location.

Formed in 1988 under the name DESECRATOR, CEREMONIAL OATH released three demos, one EP and two full-length albums before calling it quits in 1995. The band’s former members include such internationally recognized names as Anders Fridén (IN FLAMES), Oscar Dronjak (HAMMERFALL), Jesper Strömblad (IN FLAMES) and Anders Iwers (TIAMAT).

CEREMONIAL OATH has inked a deal with Century Media Records for the re-release of the majority of its catalog, up to and including the 1993 CD “The Book Of Truth”. A remixed version of the latter effort will be made available on January 28.

ONSLAUGHT, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD, and SINISTER are the latest bands to be confirmed for 70000 Tons Of Metal.

The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise will sail Monday, January 28, 2013 aboard the Royal Caribbean Majesty Of The Seas from Miami, FL to Cockburn Town on Grand Turk Island, and will not return to the real world for four days until Friday, February 1, 2013.

Ticket prices start at US$666 plus US$299 taxes and fees per person and include all on-board entertainment, non-alcoholic and non-carbonated beverages, all meals at the dining rooms, most on-board restaurants and even 24 hour room service!

What are you waiting for? You might even need a vacation from this vacation when all is said and done! Check out 70000tons.com for more information.